Stereotype-plate



(No Model.)

G. DAMON & E. S. PEETS.

STEREOTYPE PLATE.

No. 39231884 Patented Nov. 6," 1888.

I\ PEIERS. PhohrLhhognpber, Wnhinghn. 11C.

I UNI ED STATES PATENT tries.

GEORGE DAMON, OF ORANFORD, NEW JERSEY, AND ELIAS S. PEETS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS, BY ME SNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE A. N. KELLOGG NEWSPAPER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STEREOTYPE-PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,188, dated November 6, 1888.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that .we, GEORGE DAMON, of Oranford, Union county, New Jersey, and ELIAS S. Pears, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stereotype-Plates, of which the following is a specificatiomreference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the same.

The invention subject-matter of this application is an improvement in printing or stereotype plates.

In carrying out our invention to produce the same in the form believed by us to be the best and most practicable We proceed in the following manner:

' WVe first produce a suitable matrix or mold in any ordinary way, as by taking in papiermach an impression of the types or plate of the matter to be reproduced. In this matrix or mold we then lay a sheet of such a pyroxyline compound as zylonite or celluloid, and over this we lay a section of cloth or sheet of paper or other tenacious fibrous material of the same or approximately the same size as the sheet of zylonite. The latter should be as thin as the circumstances of the case or the charac ter of the work to be done will permit-for instan ee,one-sixteenth of an inch or less in thickness. The matrix, the zylonite, and fibrous sheets are then exposed to a temperature of about 800 Fahrenheit, until the zylonite is softened sufficiently to permit it to be worked. Then, while hot, hydraulic or screw pressure is applied to force the latter down into the sunken matrix and to unite the fibrous back ing to it. There is thus formed a plate with a raised surface corresponding with the original type or plate,which may be received from the matrix and used in many ways for printing. We carry the process still farther, however, and cement or glue this plate to a base or sup port, which we make of papier-mach or like substance. This base is a comparatively thin and light sheet or block of paper with flanges or ribs, by means of which it is readily combined with the blocks or furniture used in printing-offices, and placed in a press ready for printing. The product of this process in its several forms, being new understood, will be seen to exhibit certain features of novelty and utility. These are, first, a printing-plate consisting of a thin plate or film of zylonite, or similar pyroxyline compound, with a backing or re-enforce of fibrous material; second, a printing-plate consisting of a thin film or plate of a material or com poundsuch as zylonite secured to abase or support, by means of which it may be placed in a press with the ordinary printers furniture; third, a printing-plate of zylonite, or similar pyroxyline compound,with a fibrous backing secured by an adhesive substance to a base or support; and, fourth, a printing-plate of zylonite, or like material, secured to a base or support of papier-mach, paper, or the like. These features combine many advantages which have been especially sought for in the development of the device. As a whole, the plates are light and flexible, yet strong and durable; hence they may be transported at small expense. On the other hand, the cost of production is very much re duced, plates of excellent quality being made at a cost considerably below that which the forms now in use involve.

o now refer to the drawings in further explanation of the invention.

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a plate with a portion of the fibrous backing exposed. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a plate secured to its base or support. Fig. 3 is an end view of a plate combined with the blocks forming the printcrs furniture of a press. Fig. I is a View of the under side of the base.

A is the plate of zylonite, as above set forth; B, the fibrous backing intimately united therewith. This latter is nsed as a re-enforce and filling and is'intended to give the letters of the plate substantial support to prevent their being crushed down or marred while being printed from and to render the plate more stiff, and thus prevent its curling up from the suction of the rollers employed to ink it. At the same time this backing strengthens the plate and prevents it from breaking or cracking. As this backing takes glue or cement readily, the plate may be secured by a proper adhesive substance to a wooden block, and so used for printing; or it may be secured in any other proper manner to such a block. We prefer,

however, to secure it by cement or glue to the base 0, made of papier-mach or stout paper, which is both light and strong and which forms a more convenient means of inserting the plate in a press. This base C is provided with ribs D, which are gripped by or otherwise made to engage with the blocks E, usually called the furniture.

As above stated, we may use zylonite or other equivalent pyroxyline compoundsuch as celluloid-for the printing-surface. \Ve may also use paper or cloth, or like fibrous materials, for the backing, or paper and cloth both, and in this and in other respects we do not limit ourselves to the specific materials named.

\Ve do not claim a printing-plate formed of a plastic compound, either alone or in combination with a base, as we are aware that these are features that are not original with us; but

What we claim is- 1. A printing or stereotype plate composed of a pyroxyliue compoundsuch as zylonitein combination with a backing or reenforce of fibrous material, as set forth.

2. Aprintingorstereotypeplate of apyroxy- 25 line compoundsuch as zylonite-having a backing or re-enforce of fibrous material, in combination with a base or support, by means" of which it is set in a press.

3. A printing or stereotype plate composed ,0 of a thin film of zylonite and havingabacking or re-enforce of fibrous material, in combination with a base or support, to which it is secured by an adhesive substance, as set forth.

4. A printing or stereotype plate of zylonite 35 secured to a base or support of paper or papier-mach, as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 24th day of November, 1886.

GEORGE DAMON. [L. s.] E. S. PEETS. [L. s.]

\Vitnesses:

A. B. GUMMINs, W. A. BUNKER. 

